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CONFIRMATION has been received that Central Pharma will begin production in Kerry Technology Park in Tralee in Quarter 1 of next year.
In response to a Dáil question from Deputy Griffin, Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Leo Varadkar, said that Central Pharma announced plans to establish a contract packaging and supply centre at the IDA’s Advanced Technology Building in Tralee in December 2018 but the company has subsequently experienced some delays in progressing their plans, including in relation to the Covid-19 restrictions.
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The Tánaiste said that once regulatory approvals have been received, Central Pharma will be ready to commence operations, adding that the IDA has informed him that the company has already started to recruit key staff, and this will be followed by further hires.
He said that the company remains committed to its plans for the site and intends to begin production at the site in Q1 2022.
In a further reply to Deputy Griffin, the Tánaiste said that the IDA will build a second Advanced Technology Building in Tralee and the site selection process is currently underway.
He said that securing planning permission and the construction of the building will take time, but it is intended that the facility will be delivered during the life of the current IDA Strategy 2021-2024.
Relating to Deputy Griffin’s question about what type of industry the planned facility may attract, the Tánaiste said that the advanced technology building may support either a new office or industrial investment given the flexible nature of IDA building solutions.
Deputy Griffin has welcomed confirmation that Central Pharma is now recruiting new staff in Tralee and will begin production in the coming months.
He also said that the provision of the second advanced facility will provide further opportunity for Tralee and Kerry and said he will be pursuing the matter closely with the Tánaiste and IDA to keep the project high on their priorities.
